HERSHEY - The five PIAA Wrestling Championship medalists from the Wyoming Valley Conference included a heavyweight and a Hammer, a veteran Warrior and a standout Spartan. And throw in a Black Knight for good measure.

The AA wrestlers competed in the afternoon session, and it seemed almost fitting that Schutz and Harry would be competing in medal matches that took place within minutes of one another.

They have been two of the WVC's leading lights in the lower weights for the past three seasons and, at times, the fiercest of adversaries. Schutz won five-of-seven matches against Harry, including two WVC Tournament championship wins.

Separated by six pounds, they did not wrestle each other this season. But in Hershey, they were side-by-side one last time.

"We're back here warming up together before every match, giving each other high-fives and wishing each other good luck," Harry said. "We've just been good friends over the years and I'm happy for him, finally getting a medal his senior year."

Schutz, a senior, finished his career as the Warriors' program leader in wins with 125. His final match was a dandy, a 3-0 decision over Saegertown's Nick Monico. After failing to place in Hershey last year, Schutz earned a medal by wrestling back following a one-point loss in Thursday's preliminaries to the eventual runner-up, Bethlehem Catholic's Zeke Moisey.

"That was the objective," Schutz said. "It's hard to wrestle back. I definitely didn't want to go out on a loss."

Harry lost the final match of his junior campaign, 5-0, to Hanover Area's Ian Brown. He injured his right ankle in the third period, as it slammed to ground following a takedown. Harry, walking with a slight limp following the match, called it a "stinger."

While the loss proved difficult to stomach, he improved on last year's eighth-place finish.

"It's definitely not what I wanted, but fourth place is definitely better than eighth and definitely better than not placing at all," Harry said. "I'm improving each year. Hopefully, next year will be even better."

Krasavage and Emerick, still alive in the main draw entering Saturday, saw their championship hopes dashed with decision losses in the morning's semifinals.

Krasavage entered the semifinals at 40-0 but lost his perfect record following a 7-3 defeat to Connor Schram of Canon-McMillian. Later that evening, Schram won his second PIAA gold with a 5-3 decision over Franklin Regional's Michael Kemerer.

Krasavage came back in short order to defeat Dallastown's Rodney Sunday, 4-2, in the fourth round of consolations. In the third-place match, he fell to Tyler Walker, 8-4. It was a particularly disappointing loss for Krasavage, who had aimed for a top-three medal all season.

"You had a kid who worked so hard, came down and almost accomplished every single goal this season," Valley West coach Drew Feldman said. "He wanted a full scholarship to a Division I college. Hofstra (University). He got that. Top three at states is what he wanted.

"He's such a great kid. I really wanted him to achieve every goal he set."

In his semifinal match, Emerick dropped a 3-0 decision to Central Tech's Andrew Welton, a three-time state qualifier.

After a scoreless first period, Emerick began on bottom in the second. Welton clung to Emerick for two minutes to keep the score tied at 0. Eleven seconds into the third, Emerick let up Welton, giving up a point to wrestle in neutral. Welton scored the match's only takedown late in the period to secure the win.

After a win in the fourth round of consolations, Emerick dropped a 3-0 decision to Kiski Area's Shane Kuhn. A reverse early in the second period broke a scoreless tie.

"I've been wrestling well throughout my high school career," Emerick said. "I can't ask for anything else. I wish I placed a little higher, but that's water under the bridge right now."

Hammerstone lost a 3-2 decision in the seventh-place match to Spring Grove's Mason Bentzel, almost hitting the match-winning headlock takedown in the closing seconds.

It was another dramatic finish for Hammerstone in a season full of them.

"Rightfully so," Hammerstone said. "I was on the wrong end of that one. Finally. The other ones, I came out on top. I gave it my last shot there at the end and it wasn't enough."

ekorn@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2054

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